Tuyere injector

Abstract

An injector for introducing particulate material into the bath of a pyrometallurgical vessel via existing tuyeres. An existing mechanical puncher may be removed and replaced with an injector adapted to be attached to the existing tuyere body so as not to disturb the existing blast air connections. The injector, including a housing spatially circumscribing an injector pipe and forming an annular space part way therewith, is inserted into the tuyere. A source of pressurized fluid is injected into the annular space keeping the tuyere open so the particulate material can be introduced through the pipe.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. An injector for introducing particulate matter into a tuyere extending through the wall of a vessel, the injector comprising a pipe adapted to be inserted into the tuyere, a housing circumscribing a portion of the pipe and forming an annular space therebetween, the annular space extending into the tuyere adjacent to the pipe, a blast air source directly communicating with the annular space, means for affixing the injector to a tuyere body affiliated with the tuyere, means for introducing a source of pressurized fluid directly to the annular space through the housing, and means for connecting the pipe to a source of the particulate matter. 
     
     
       2. The injector according to claim 1 wherein a housing spatially circumscribes the pipe, the annular space disposed therebetween, the housing adapted to be affixed to the tuyere, the housing including means for coupling the housing to the source of pressurized fluid. 
     
     
       3. In combination with a pyrometallurgical vessel, the vessel including a wall, and one or more tuyeres having an external tuyere body extending through the wall, at least one of the tuyeres adapted to introduce particulate matter into the vessel, the combination comprising a housing adapted to be connected to the tuyere body, a pipe partially disposed within the housing and extending thereout, the housing and the pipe forming an annular space therebetween, the annular space extending into the tuyere, a blast air source directly communicating with the annular space, a source of pressurized fluid communicating with the housing and the annular space, and means for introducing particulate matter into the pipe. 
     
     
       4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein the housing is a tee connector, having a diameter larger than the diameter of the pipe, and the annular space disposed between the tee connector and the pipe. 
     
     
       5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein the tee connector is attached to the tuyere body. 
     
     
       6. The combination according to claim 4 wherein an adaptor circumscribes the pipe to form the annular space and seals one end of the tee connector. 
     
     
       7. A method of operating a tuyere affixed to a vessel, the method comprising: 1) inserting a tuyere injector into the tuyere to form an annular space dispersed therebetween,   2) introducing particulate matter into the tuyere injector,   3) introducing pressurized fluid into the annular space to reduce accretion build-up within the tuyere, and   4) introducing blast air into the annular space.